What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surrounding
Example
The surrounding area is full of beautiful hiking trails. [surrounding: adjective]
Example
The surrounding towns were affected by the hurricane as well. [surrounding: present participle]
Example
The company's success is influenced by the surrounding economic conditions. [surrounding: noun]
adjacent
Example
The hotel has an adjacent restaurant that serves delicious food. [adjacent: adjective]
Example
The park is adjacent to the library, making it a convenient location for reading outdoors. [adjacent: preposition]
Example
The adjacent buildings share a common wall. [adjacent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Adjacent is more commonly used than surrounding in everyday language. Adjacent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while surrounding is less common and often used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surrounding and adjacent?
While adjacent can be used in both formal and informal contexts, surrounding is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone.
